Minot native Charles Wald, who is the most recent North Dakotan to
join the ranks of Air Force general, also has a new assignment with
the U.S. European Command.

Wald officially pinned on is fourth star, which designates that
he has reached the highest of the commissioned officer rankings,
this past November. President George Bush nominated Wald for promotion
to general this past summer.

Along with Wald's new rank came a new assignment as the deputy
commander of the U.S. European Command at Stuttgart-Vaihingen, Germany.

As deputy commander, Wald works along with Marine Gen. James Jones,
who became commander of the U.S. Europeon Command in January.

The command covers about 21 million square miles, including 93
nations in Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

Before going to Germany, Wald was the deputy chief of staff for
Air and Space Operations at U.S. Air Force Headqarters at the Pentagon.

A 1966 graduate of Bishop Ryan High School in Minot, Wald graduated
from North Dakota State University, Fargo. He earned is commission
through the ROTC program in 1971.

Wald has had numerous high-level positions during his military
career. He also is a command pilot with more than 3,200 flying hours,
including more than 450 combat hours over Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos,
Iraq and Bosnia.